I forgot to post this back in spring:

I recently moved to Washington D.C. and it’s my first time in the DMV area during spring. From the couple months of work here I’ve developed a nice day-to-day routine. On the days I head into the office, I start my day off my rushing towards me near my metro station with my coffee thermos in hand. I squeeze myself onto a metro car with all the other DC commuters and try my best to keep my balance while I surf train for five stops. I switch lines and shuffle onto another train to then end up at the Smithsonian metro station. I then exit the station to see the beautiful red, brick Sidney Yates Building.

After a full workday, I usually just to see a couple other USDA employee shuffling out our offices heading back towards the metro station. But as I exited the building, I was greeted by a sea of excited people milling around. It was as if the entire city had come out to see the cherry blossoms.

So I joined in the excitement and  I made my way towards the Tidal Basin, the excitement in the air was palpable. The sound of cameras clicking, children laughing, and people chatting filled the atmosphere. The cherry blossom trees, which had just started to bloom, were a sight to behold. The branches were laden with delicate pink and white petals, and the soft fragrance of the blossoms wafted through the air.

As I walked, I noticed that people of all ages and backgrounds had come to see the cherry blossoms. Some had brought picnics, while others had cameras or were taking selfies with the blossoms as a backdrop. I even saw a group of tourists dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, taking photos with the cherry blossoms.

The atmosphere was electric, and it was heartening to see so many people come together to appreciate the beauty of nature. The cherry blossoms, with their fleeting beauty, reminded me of the importance of living in the moment and cherishing every experience.

As I left the Tidal Basin and made my way back to the Forest Service building, I felt uplifted and energized. The cherry blossoms had brought a sense of joy and community to the city, and it was a privilege to have been a part of it.